Not a lot. Don't think anyone will quite get the violent ferocity and the insane amount of water involved. And yes, I do know there were floods back home in August. But 20 cm in 2 hours?
Pool and garden stuffed. House still good. The worst hit suburb is 1km from us. This clip basically captures it I reckon.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/20/australia-floods
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 07, 2008
Bye bye Dubya
'Fool me once — shame on — shame on you. You fool me, you can't get fooled a
gain'. Heard this played again yesterday. According to Dubya, it's a famous saying in Tennessee and Texas. Thank Christ he's no longer going to be the head of the most powerful country in the world. Bring on Obama. Should be a few people eating either hats or humble pie at the moment. But, the poor git has all that Bushit (assume thats been used, but I thought of it myself just then, so I'll claim the cleverness for now) to clean-up mind you. And there appears to be a fair amount of it.
gain'. Heard this played again yesterday. According to Dubya, it's a famous saying in Tennessee and Texas. Thank Christ he's no longer going to be the head of the most powerful country in the world. Bring on Obama. Should be a few people eating either hats or humble pie at the moment. But, the poor git has all that Bushit (assume thats been used, but I thought of it myself just then, so I'll claim the cleverness for now) to clean-up mind you. And there appears to be a fair amount of it.(28/10/08)
The last few times I’ve sat on a plane on the way back from a work day trip in either Sydney or Melbourne, I’ve been busy working away on something or other for the next day. This time I find myself having done all I can do, and there’s still half an hour to go before the laptop has to be put away so, here we go. Let’s see what I can come up with in that time.
The biggest news in the Foley household is that we are now 1 set of tonsils down. Oh, and some adenoids. Trooper A
ibhe took it all in her stride – and while we’re not quite ‘over it’ as of yet, she’s pretty good at this point – one week on. As we approached the hospital on the day, her pleading that she was fine (or ‘I’m ok now’) were reverberating through our guilty heads as we held her hand walking in. Mind you, it gets made all very easy when you have a private room with bed, cot and recliner seat and she gets the opportunity to watch Wiggles and Peppa Pig DVD’s until the hour cometh. Which was all very sudden. The moment the hospital gown had to go on was when it all became a bit real for her (and us). Thankfully, she was so fricken shattered at that point that she fell asleep in my arms as we waited to wheel her in for the anesthetic. Dr Tony (Alissa’s uncle) came by, said hello, then promptly headed off to operate on our little Aibhe. One hour (and a fire alarm precisely at the moment her op was to start) later and she was back in her room, asleep on her Dad in the recliner chair. It’s a strange and helpless feeling for that hour. I just hope we don’t have to experience it too often. Alissa stayed the night with her and the little one went pretty well (the old morphine works a treat)
and by 9pm the next morning we were shipped off home.
Now we wait and hope for fewer throat infections in the coming years to make it all worthwhile. And so she will forgive us.
Emma has started on solids. She loves the stuff. How strange for a Foley baby to like her food. It seems to have settled her previously erratic sleeping patterns at present. The teething or growth spurts always threaten to mess things up.
So then. The aul’ global economy’s not so hot. But from what I’m reading, it’s a bit on the crazy scary side back home. 1% levy? Isn’t that just increasing income tax rates across the board without calling it that? Where’s all the exchequer surpluses from the boom times disappeared to? Why does Ireland have to go through such extreme cycles? Surely there’s a better way. This place will certainly go through a recession too, but the way I’ts talked about is along the lines of…. Ah yes, we had one for a couple of years in the early 90’s and again in the early ‘noughties’ and it was tough for a bit. Tough? Tough? That’s not tough. Ireland in the 70’ and 80’s never ending recession – that’s tough. For some reason, this country has cycles, but the growth and recession extremes never come close to what Ireland seems to have gone through, and is going through now. Good luck? Good government? No idea. Probably a bit to do with country size and diversity and the lack of reliance on any one industry or country for exports. Proximity to the emerging Asian economies is probably a factor too. But then again, what do I know.
(9/11/08)
Sign of my times when things are so busy that it takes this long to get what I've written from laptop to blog. And then ye re-read it and its all a bit dated. Anyway. Swimming is the order of the day over here now, Aibhe will hopefully be 'pool safe' as they say before Christmas at the rate she's going. Suddenly decided that going underwater is a fun thing and that floaties (arm-bands) are for babies. The transformation in a matter of a few weeks is quite bloody amazing. And I have to remind her how lucky she is to have her own swimming pool in her backyard. And trampoline of course. Then I remind myself how lucky we are to have all this aswell. Sammy the seal is the l
atest addition to the family. She is obliged to wear the floaties for this activity as God only knows when she'll decide to throw herself in. Emma has made it into the water already too......
I'll leave with a little extract from today, the sounds of our 6 month old's hearty laughter. Just so yis get used to it for when we hit the home country in a few weeks time. The girls will have no idea what hits them when that first blast of cold air rushes through them in Dublin airport. Nor will we for that matter. But tis Christmas after all, and aint freezing cold and rain how it's meant to be.
The biggest news in the Foley household is that we are now 1 set of tonsils down. Oh, and some adenoids. Trooper A
ibhe took it all in her stride – and while we’re not quite ‘over it’ as of yet, she’s pretty good at this point – one week on. As we approached the hospital on the day, her pleading that she was fine (or ‘I’m ok now’) were reverberating through our guilty heads as we held her hand walking in. Mind you, it gets made all very easy when you have a private room with bed, cot and recliner seat and she gets the opportunity to watch Wiggles and Peppa Pig DVD’s until the hour cometh. Which was all very sudden. The moment the hospital gown had to go on was when it all became a bit real for her (and us). Thankfully, she was so fricken shattered at that point that she fell asleep in my arms as we waited to wheel her in for the anesthetic. Dr Tony (Alissa’s uncle) came by, said hello, then promptly headed off to operate on our little Aibhe. One hour (and a fire alarm precisely at the moment her op was to start) later and she was back in her room, asleep on her Dad in the recliner chair. It’s a strange and helpless feeling for that hour. I just hope we don’t have to experience it too often. Alissa stayed the night with her and the little one went pretty well (the old morphine works a treat)
and by 9pm the next morning we were shipped off home.Now we wait and hope for fewer throat infections in the coming years to make it all worthwhile. And so she will forgive us.
Emma has started on solids. She loves the stuff. How strange for a Foley baby to like her food. It seems to have settled her previously erratic sleeping patterns at present. The teething or growth spurts always threaten to mess things up.
So then. The aul’ global economy’s not so hot. But from what I’m reading, it’s a bit on the crazy scary side back home. 1% levy? Isn’t that just increasing income tax rates across the board without calling it that? Where’s all the exchequer surpluses from the boom times disappeared to? Why does Ireland have to go through such extreme cycles? Surely there’s a better way. This place will certainly go through a recession too, but the way I’ts talked about is along the lines of…. Ah yes, we had one for a couple of years in the early 90’s and again in the early ‘noughties’ and it was tough for a bit. Tough? Tough? That’s not tough. Ireland in the 70’ and 80’s never ending recession – that’s tough. For some reason, this country has cycles, but the growth and recession extremes never come close to what Ireland seems to have gone through, and is going through now. Good luck? Good government? No idea. Probably a bit to do with country size and diversity and the lack of reliance on any one industry or country for exports. Proximity to the emerging Asian economies is probably a factor too. But then again, what do I know.
(9/11/08)
Sign of my times when things are so busy that it takes this long to get what I've written from laptop to blog. And then ye re-read it and its all a bit dated. Anyway. Swimming is the order of the day over here now, Aibhe will hopefully be 'pool safe' as they say before Christmas at the rate she's going. Suddenly decided that going underwater is a fun thing and that floaties (arm-bands) are for babies. The transformation in a matter of a few weeks is quite bloody amazing. And I have to remind her how lucky she is to have her own swimming pool in her backyard. And trampoline of course. Then I remind myself how lucky we are to have all this aswell. Sammy the seal is the l
atest addition to the family. She is obliged to wear the floaties for this activity as God only knows when she'll decide to throw herself in. Emma has made it into the water already too......I'll leave with a little extract from today, the sounds of our 6 month old's hearty laughter. Just so yis get used to it for when we hit the home country in a few weeks time. The girls will have no idea what hits them when that first blast of cold air rushes through them in Dublin airport. Nor will we for that matter. But tis Christmas after all, and aint freezing cold and rain how it's meant to be.
Finally, a the warmest antipodean welcome to Robyn Jennifer Garry, DG & Sue's little treasure......
Friday, September 26, 2008
Room with a view
So this is the view from my new office on the 33rd floor of Waterfront place. I obviously don't face this way while sitting at my desk, but its pretty good for those meditative moments. Or when ye just have to shut the door and close oneself down for a while. Or do back exercises on the floor. Sunny Brisbane outside and the sparkling Brisbane river winding its way around the CBD. The Storey Bridge in the distance there is Brissie's answer to Sydney's Harbour Bridge. Not quite. Not quite. Lets not talk about the glass panels that have fallen out of this building.
And to put it all in perspective as to where I am
, the 33rd floor is 3 from the top. The tallest building in this pic was actually designed by Alissa's Dad. And he has another 2 big ones under construction at present which will top that. In fact, I think there are 4 more big high rises on the way which will change the complexion of that skyline completely within the next 2 years.Its been a while since I've updated this. Too long of course but man have we been busy. I could say not an awful lots been happening, but that would not be true. we, and in particular Aibhe, got very used to Mum and Dad (nana and dom) being here for almost the entire month of August. It was all very easy and comfortable and hopefully will result in many more visits. The pictures down below give some idea of the time and in the little trip to palm cove just north of Cairns.
To be fair, it was pretty bloody cold this winter, many of the locals have said as much. I reckon it was more that it seemed to last a while longer than usual as opposed to it being intensely cold. Pretty amazing how quickly the temperature rises to summer levels though. 30 degrees a couple of days ago and the pool is back in use immediately thanks to the solar heating I got put in back in May. Have to say, was rather looking forward to summer kicking in again. Really love it.
As for the kids, well, Emma is pretty much porking up to the size of her big sister after what seemed like a normal size child first few months. We again have a top percentile baby in both weight and height. Bless her roly poly thighs. Still smiling though - and as I may have said, is a lot less sparing with her happy face than Aibhe was at her age - we had to work hard for them with our eldest.
The day is fast approaching for Aibhe to have her tonsils whipped out. After what was probably her longest illness free period since she first got sick, she came down with yet another dose of tonsillitis so if there was a shred of doubt in our minds about this decision, its gone now. Dreading the whole operation time of course, but by all accounts, she will forget pretty quickly and we will not regret doing it.
Its really not that long now till we're freezing our n&ts off in the recession hit old sod. Wonder how the Gen Y brigade will handle not being able to ask for anything they want and get it. Genuinely hope its not a very long spell. It's hit here a bit too, but so far nothing like the severity of what seems to be going on back home. I do get to read the Times over here on the web so it is interesting to see who is blaming what, but all over the world there are fingers wagging with useless 'I told you so's' regarding the whole housing bubble. Ahh Bertie. You got out in time and left old Biffo to wade through the mud.
If there is a silver lining, will the Guinness be any cheaper when we get home?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
No time to talk. Just pictures. And now for the comments.
Not normally one for the comments with the aul pictures, but, sure for a change we'll give it a go.
In honour of the Australian Triathlon gold medalist.
Poser
All except Emma and Barb (who were still in car park) at Mossman Gorge
Believe me, the bloke in the water is freezing his nuts off
The water LOOKS lovely. But even Aibhe would not go past her shins. Warm water only please Daddy.
Dad never goes anywhere without his map. Or a paper.
This took a few goes as Aibhe desperately tried to run away.
Cheering the ocean. Good one Enda.
Can ye see the muscle tone rippling through this one? From both of us?
A little excited at the arrival of Jesse, Woody and Buzz - brought from Ireland by Nana and Dom
Emma has started taking her bottles. And is pudging up by the minute.
Nothing smart required. Nana and the girls....
All grandparents, on the Christening day, 2 were 'required' to hold Champagne bottles by Aibhe.
Godmother and Goddaughter
Why so surprised Emma?
This time, I didn not have to pilfer a candle on the altar you'll be pleased to know. Grandad stood in admirably for Godfather Ken.
Monday, July 07, 2008
The not so final countdown
I mean it is quite possible I will leave a company again, but for now, am in the departure lounge of my Virgin years. It's funny how people think you're really going to miss the excitement, buzz and unpredictability of working in an airline. Possibly. But I will get over it. At the end of the day (like), when ye work in the Finance department of any large organisation, one's exposure to the heady heights of flying jets around the largest island nation in the world is reasonably limited. I am not a pilot. Nor am I a trolley dolley. And I will not miss the turbulent insanity of the industry, the somewhat fake nature of what is perceived to be the Virgin "culture" (it is just another large corporation lets face it), or the penny pinching and occasionally pound foolish nature of what is essentially this low cost airline. It's a job. Family and a career path one can actually see is what matters.Upwards and onwards.
A little ray of information light has been cast on the antipodes with the "freeing" of access to the Irish Times on the internet. I almost feel a step closer to home - there's something about the familiarity and the style of the writing.
Little Ms Emma Foley is approaching 8 weeks. That mystical milestone at which point kids (and therefore parents) theoretically adapt to having a decent sleep at night. I reckon we're close, but still a way to go to that holy grail. In all fairness though she is being bloody great and is porking up just like her big sister (who now exceeds 3 ft - she's inherited the Foley height genes).The countdown to the arrival of the Foley folks at the start of August is well underway. Downstairs is being prepared for the arrival i.e. kettle and milk for multitude of cups of tea about to be located in the laundry/kitchenette.
You will all have to forgive the lapse into talk of the kids below, but to be perfectly honest, that's our lives currently (and forever!!) so not much else for me to talk about right now.
The tale of Sea World - where that clip below of Aibhe going nuts at Big Bird and the crew was filmed. Alissa thoughtfully decided that given the time of year etc, it would be good to get away for a couple of days/nights and distract the minds a bit - so we booked into the Sea World resort, about an hour south of here on the Gold Coast. It meant staying in a (relatively small) single studio room with 2 double beds. The danger bells should now be ringing.
Off we went to the park with the girls - Emma was wonderful and pretty much slept for the entire day. Aibhe had an absolute cracker of a day. Have to admit to being incredibly impressed with the whole set-up (and it wasn't even all open due to it being Winter and all maintenance being carried out). The surprise to us both as parents, was Aibhe's reation to Elmo. She barely knew the guy (girl? monster?) yet when he came out for a picture session after the 1st of the 2 shows we attended, she insisted on going up and hugging him. A 6 foot red and hairy character for which she only had one book as a reference point. Straight up there, skipping and barging through the queue where possible.
Off we went to the park with the girls - Emma was wonderful and pretty much slept for the entire day. Aibhe had an absolute cracker of a day. Have to admit to being incredibly impressed with the whole set-up (and it wasn't even all open due to it being Winter and all maintenance being carried out). The surprise to us both as parents, was Aibhe's reation to Elmo. She barely knew the guy (girl? monster?) yet when he came out for a picture session after the 1st of the 2 shows we attended, she insisted on going up and hugging him. A 6 foot red and hairy character for which she only had one book as a reference point. Straight up there, skipping and barging through the queue where possible. I walked out of the toys shop $120 poorer having adopted Bert, Ernie, Big Bird and Elmo as Aibhe's latest obsessions. She actually refers to them as her 'Guys' now.
Of course Aibhe hit the brick wall at about 2 in the afternoon so yours truly was lumbered with carrying the 14kg deadweight for an hour while we watched the somewhat kitsch seal lion show. Managing to wake her for the dolphin show was an achievement in itself, but entirely worthwhile as she shouted "MORE" every time the amazing mammals did one of their sky-jumps. I was rather taken by the show - all done in extremely good taste and not even remotely cheesy - which I think I was expecting a bit.
Of course Aibhe hit the brick wall at about 2 in the afternoon so yours truly was lumbered with carrying the 14kg deadweight for an hour while we watched the somewhat kitsch seal lion show. Managing to wake her for the dolphin show was an achievement in itself, but entirely worthwhile as she shouted "MORE" every time the amazing mammals did one of their sky-jumps. I was rather taken by the show - all done in extremely good taste and not even remotely cheesy - which I think I was expecting a bit.
The sub-marine views of the beautiful polar bears and the quite fricken gigantic sharks were mesmerising - ye could spend hours looking at them - if permitted to.
The evening came along and we retired to our abode for the night. Hmmmm. Tight was the first thing I thought of - but sure lets see how we go was the attitude. Roll forward several hours to about 1am, Aibhe wakes in a fever and grizzles away so I climb into bed with her to settle her down. Emma wakes shortly therefter and basically stays awake. Aibhe then wakes again - still sweating and demands to go in beside Alissa - so we swap girls and battle through to dawn. I made the unilateral decision that we would not stay the 2nd night. I think Alissa thought I was giving up too early, despite being just as frazzled as I was. We hung around a while and managed to get Aibhe to meet with Elmo again in the hotel lobby before trying the "heated" resort pool (still too fricken cold) and then calling it quits, packing up the rather unreal amount of baggage we had and heading home. In fairness, the resort refunded the 2nd nights accommodation, something I still find extremely surprising and in one word, kind.
A sleepy drive back to Brisbane and home sweet home. As we both sat with our glasses of wine watching TV at 8pm, both girls sound asleep, we reflected on it being a good move in the end. When Aibhe woke the next morning, she was probably in the best form she'd been in for weeks.
Bert and Ernie are now on an endless TV loop.
The evening came along and we retired to our abode for the night. Hmmmm. Tight was the first thing I thought of - but sure lets see how we go was the attitude. Roll forward several hours to about 1am, Aibhe wakes in a fever and grizzles away so I climb into bed with her to settle her down. Emma wakes shortly therefter and basically stays awake. Aibhe then wakes again - still sweating and demands to go in beside Alissa - so we swap girls and battle through to dawn. I made the unilateral decision that we would not stay the 2nd night. I think Alissa thought I was giving up too early, despite being just as frazzled as I was. We hung around a while and managed to get Aibhe to meet with Elmo again in the hotel lobby before trying the "heated" resort pool (still too fricken cold) and then calling it quits, packing up the rather unreal amount of baggage we had and heading home. In fairness, the resort refunded the 2nd nights accommodation, something I still find extremely surprising and in one word, kind.
A sleepy drive back to Brisbane and home sweet home. As we both sat with our glasses of wine watching TV at 8pm, both girls sound asleep, we reflected on it being a good move in the end. When Aibhe woke the next morning, she was probably in the best form she'd been in for weeks.
Bert and Ernie are now on an endless TV loop.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Back to boring old me again. And this week.
After a brief but successful dalliance with the blogger world, Alissa has decided to head for the background again - but watch/read for more editorial guest appearances.
Some news. I will shortly be leaving the clutches of Virgin Blue after 2 and a half years in gainful employment. For many reasons, wide and varied (one being the rather major instability of the airline market at the moment with fuel prices going ballistic, another being career progression) I reached the conclusion that it was time to move on and when an opportunity came relatively out of left field, I jumped. An exciting and educational few years in Virgin territory during which I have actually made some good mates and contacts. Commercial Manager for CB Richard Ellis (http://www.cbre.com.au/) in Brisbane is where I'm off to - based in the CBD and on the 33rd floor of a very sexy building overlooking the vista of southern Queensland. So watch this space for an update on my new e-mail address - which from the 17th July will be enda.foley@cbre.com.au (don't use it yet!) and a new phone number will be forwarded then also.
New baby, new job. Lets not do things in half measures eh?
This week of course is the worst of the year in the Foley calendar. The 26th being Georgia's anniversary - I think neither myself nor Alissa want to think back on that torrid day last year too much, but at the same time, we do want to remember Georgia. I would imagine things would be even more difficult had Emma not arrived. Jen's anniversary will be a difficult time for so many - in particular sister Sue, but hopefully the prospect of a little addition by Christmas will provide some degree of light. And of course marking the 4th year since we lost Marian is still almost impossible for us. 4 years would usually be considered a reasonably long time, and so much has happened in that time. Yet that day is as vivid as yesterday. And the gaping hole in our lives is as wide as ever.
Emma is now almost 6 weeks old. I had forgotten that those early weeks are just plain bloody hard - though maybe its something to do with it being such a novelty first time round and the fact that there is only one to attend to which makes it slightly easier. I do remember thinking it wasn't all that bad with Aibhe. Have to say Alissa has adapted really well, but if I'm to be completely honest with myself, I reckon my patience is slightly lacking on occasions, but starting to get better again. And it's not as if Emma is being difficult - she's actually being wonderful, and am a very happy Dad with my two girls.
Today the entire household ended up at the doctor with ailments - poor little Emma caught the inevitable cold thanks to the smothering slobbering love of sniffling big sister. Big sister's sathma kicks back in for winter so the cough starts. This is my 3rd period transitioning from summer/autumn to winter down under and things don't appear to change much - EVERYONE in this city gets sick at this time. And not just runny noses. People get floored. This 23C during the day and 8C at night lark....Some news. I will shortly be leaving the clutches of Virgin Blue after 2 and a half years in gainful employment. For many reasons, wide and varied (one being the rather major instability of the airline market at the moment with fuel prices going ballistic, another being career progression) I reached the conclusion that it was time to move on and when an opportunity came relatively out of left field, I jumped. An exciting and educational few years in Virgin territory during which I have actually made some good mates and contacts. Commercial Manager for CB Richard Ellis (http://www.cbre.com.au/) in Brisbane is where I'm off to - based in the CBD and on the 33rd floor of a very sexy building overlooking the vista of southern Queensland. So watch this space for an update on my new e-mail address - which from the 17th July will be enda.foley@cbre.com.au (don't use it yet!) and a new phone number will be forwarded then also.
New baby, new job. Lets not do things in half measures eh?
Monday, May 26, 2008
And the Family Grows
As per Endas recent Blog it is now over to me. Regarding the birth, I still shudder at the memory and am amazed that I had slightly forgotten the first time round. For those of you due to give birth in the upcoming months (in due date order) Shelly and Murt, Ali and Damo, Kate and Sam, Booty and Matt, Sue and Dave, Lib and Sam and Bec and Al, some words of advice : Dont listen to them when they say to wait for the epidural ...... it may never come ........ it hurts A LOT with out it and try not to dilate from 5cm to 10cm in an hour, it is not a pleasant feeling. But the truth of it is the actual birth is amazing and wonderful and at the end you have a baby, for us, we now have Baby Emma. I still cant believe she is finally here and I am no longer pregnant. I love our girls and I love our new bigger family. Here are a couple of photos taken on the weekend.
To explain the above, we spent Sunday afternoon and mum and dads house. It is newly renovated and has a 12m lap pool which is heated. Enda and Aibhe had a ball, no there was no swimming for me, we so dont have our bikini body back (I am wondering if we ever will) but apparently it was lovely. Did I mention it is winter here and it was 25oC? Thus the sunbathing father and daughter photo.
As for me I am all good, I am happy to be able to have drink or two these days and I am no longer working, in an office that is. Well work is off until the new year but I have a feeling I might get a little restless before too long so you never know I might head back a little earlier.
If you had not heard we are Ireland bound. The Australian Foleys touch down in lovely Dublin on the 19th of December for 3 weeks. We cant wait. Christmas and New Years with everyone again. New children to meet and friends to see. Aibhe is obsessed about going on the plane to see Nana and Tom and can point out Ireland on a map with ease. Sure it will be an interesting flight with a nearly 3 year old and 7 month old but it has to be done.
I would like to say congratulations to all the mums and new boys of May. Mia and Baby Luke, Kim and Baby Frank, Sal and Baby Alex and Louise and Baby James. Emma will have a lovely selection of men when it comes to school Formals.
And on that note I am going to head off, feed time for Emma.
Love Alissa xx
To explain the above, we spent Sunday afternoon and mum and dads house. It is newly renovated and has a 12m lap pool which is heated. Enda and Aibhe had a ball, no there was no swimming for me, we so dont have our bikini body back (I am wondering if we ever will) but apparently it was lovely. Did I mention it is winter here and it was 25oC? Thus the sunbathing father and daughter photo.
As for me I am all good, I am happy to be able to have drink or two these days and I am no longer working, in an office that is. Well work is off until the new year but I have a feeling I might get a little restless before too long so you never know I might head back a little earlier.
If you had not heard we are Ireland bound. The Australian Foleys touch down in lovely Dublin on the 19th of December for 3 weeks. We cant wait. Christmas and New Years with everyone again. New children to meet and friends to see. Aibhe is obsessed about going on the plane to see Nana and Tom and can point out Ireland on a map with ease. Sure it will be an interesting flight with a nearly 3 year old and 7 month old but it has to be done.
I would like to say congratulations to all the mums and new boys of May. Mia and Baby Luke, Kim and Baby Frank, Sal and Baby Alex and Louise and Baby James. Emma will have a lovely selection of men when it comes to school Formals.
And on that note I am going to head off, feed time for Emma.
Love Alissa xx
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Spot the difference?
Aibhe above and Emma below.
Emma above and Aibhe below.
Emma below and Aibhe above.
Friday, May 16, 2008
A little sister for Aibhe....
Emma Foley - born 16th May, 9.41am, weighing in at 3.03 kilos (6.6lbs) . More on the saga of the birth to come, but in the end, labour lasted less than 2 hours..... well done Mum.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Seriously
what the fricken hell was that nutcase doing heading the ball at knee height, 2 yards from goal in the last seconds of injury time in a Champions league semi-final? No offence Stef, but your Norwegian Riise is a muppet with no right foot. All I can say is he can make up for it next week thanks very much. As for all that boardroom nonsense, well, what do ye expect when ye let a pair of yanks (sorry, 1 Canadian) buy a football club. I could probably have done more research on Google than Liverpool seem to have done.
As for the Celtic tiger economy. Well well well. Things have slowed down a bit. Quel surprise. A bit surprised it didn't happen some time ago to be honest. Be interesting to see how the Gen Y brigade handle it. And all those millionaire developers. Thankfully, things won't ever again be like the early 80's touch wood. And good ole Bertie is gone. Maybe he didn't want to be associated with the economy downturn. Tarnishing his teflon image.
Economy here is feeling it a bit, but not too much yet. Good old China wha?? Of course the central bank f&ckers were still raising interest rates (to over 7% - are you kidding!!) up to last month coz people seemed to just not give a cr&p and kept spending like we're all about to fall over the edge.
Thats the extent of my economics reporting for the year.
I believe I am acclimatising (have acclimatised) to the Brisbane weather. The first in a trilogy of defining realisation moments came in November when I was home for those few mental days. I froze my nuts off. I lost count of the number of times I had to ask why the hell the heating had been turned off in the house. Occasion number 2 came probably in late January, when I bemoaned the crappy summer we had just experienced. It had been over 25 C pretty much constantly for 4 months and true, had rained a bit, but lets face it by my old Irish standards...... And finally, last week I was standing in the bathroom early in the morning, and simply had to put my towelling bathrobe on to get warm and thought how quickly winter was descending. It was probably about 15 C, and within an hour was well over 20. I've thought about wearing a jacket to work already and may even go that far next week. Traditionally, this is the most perfect time of year, with temps in the high 20's and nice cool nights. But I now have a jacket and am willing to wear it.....
As for the most important stuff..... 4 weeks to go. And ye never know, maybe earlier......
One can always hope.
As for the Celtic tiger economy. Well well well. Things have slowed down a bit. Quel surprise. A bit surprised it didn't happen some time ago to be honest. Be interesting to see how the Gen Y brigade handle it. And all those millionaire developers. Thankfully, things won't ever again be like the early 80's touch wood. And good ole Bertie is gone. Maybe he didn't want to be associated with the economy downturn. Tarnishing his teflon image.
Economy here is feeling it a bit, but not too much yet. Good old China wha?? Of course the central bank f&ckers were still raising interest rates (to over 7% - are you kidding!!) up to last month coz people seemed to just not give a cr&p and kept spending like we're all about to fall over the edge.
Thats the extent of my economics reporting for the year.
I believe I am acclimatising (have acclimatised) to the Brisbane weather. The first in a trilogy of defining realisation moments came in November when I was home for those few mental days. I froze my nuts off. I lost count of the number of times I had to ask why the hell the heating had been turned off in the house. Occasion number 2 came probably in late January, when I bemoaned the crappy summer we had just experienced. It had been over 25 C pretty much constantly for 4 months and true, had rained a bit, but lets face it by my old Irish standards...... And finally, last week I was standing in the bathroom early in the morning, and simply had to put my towelling bathrobe on to get warm and thought how quickly winter was descending. It was probably about 15 C, and within an hour was well over 20. I've thought about wearing a jacket to work already and may even go that far next week. Traditionally, this is the most perfect time of year, with temps in the high 20's and nice cool nights. But I now have a jacket and am willing to wear it.....
As for the most important stuff..... 4 weeks to go. And ye never know, maybe earlier......
One can always hope.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Tick tock
Happy easter from the choc bunny munching machine
Pregnancy update. Almost 34 weeks and things are 'normal'. No need for more than that. Alissa's looking forward to a full strength beer and glass of wine not mixed with soda water. And having another alarm clock to look after.
I was flicking channels on the radio the other day when I'd been in the car for a while and landed on some station called Bay Area FM. A very amateur outfit but bloody funny and reminded me so much of our old backyard shed based pirate radio stations back home. Sunshine Radio and Radio Nova. Long before the days of the commercial and legalised current versions of Today FM and FM104. The music this lot were playing was incredibly 80's (and therefore well up my street) and when Chris De Burgh came on with 'Don't Pay the Ferryman', I was half way through singing along word for word before I realised what I was doing. I knew why of course. Marian was a fan and had the albums, even went to a gig in Landsdowne or the RDS I seem to recall. Imagine, ole bushy black eyebrows man playing a venue like that. In fairness, perhaps it was the lack of musical quality around at the time, but Jesus that stuff was sh&t. But I like it because of where it brings me. Her only imperfection was her love of Chris de Burgh's music (yes, I know I am a music snob sometimes, but still, come on.....)
Also made me realise. I'm pretty much middle-aged. What that means I don't really know but am getting glimpses of myself every now and then, especially when getting checked out by the GP for blood pressure and cholesterol levels and all that.
I hear Radiohead are playing Malahide Castle. Are you fricken kidding me?? I waited for years and years for them to come and play Dublin, and then they do and they play 'my home village'? Might pop home with Aibhe for it. Ha.
After what was a really average summer (but fantastic news for the dams that went from 18 to 39% full and has ensured everything is very green - yes, I am a little obsessed by the drought situation, I accept this) we now descend into the cold winter days of 21 degrees'ish. Darker mornings means longer sleeps for Aibhe (generally). All is good. I love winter.
I went to the 2nd Virginblue charity hangar ball recently. The blog history has an account of the first one about a year and a half ago. Of course Mr (I refuse to acknowledge a meaningless knighthood) Branson was there in all his glory. A 2,800 person strong affair at 290 per person (I was invited so no paying for it for me - charity or no charity) and all went pretty well given what must have been a logistical nightmare. Even through Earth hour when all the lights went out and I thought I was eating tuna. Turned out to be shredded lamb.
Now then. Anybody wishing to travel from Sydney to LA (or the other direction) from December 15th onwards, please go to www.vaustralia.com.au. They are my new employer. Flying those big Boeing 777 babies. Still part of the Virgin Blue group, but now Finance Manager for, as they call it, 'Australia's newest international airline'. Was actually quite close to leaving the place, but a change as good as a rest as they say. Mind you resting hasn't been in the vocabulary for some time now.
We recently got Foxtel IQ on the high recommendation of Murt. Probably the best extra $20 a month we've spent. Assume you guys have something similar with Sky back home. Our back catalogue is now choc-a-bloc with episodes of Dora the Explorer, Curious George and the Wiggles. A heaven send when instant satisfaction is required or a particular episode is demanded. Must say, Curious George is currently my favourite. A very cute monkey.
We're preparing Aibhe for the arrival of number 2 by various means, one of which is the whole baby's bedroom which she has commanded as her own and has suddenly decided she likes all those baby toys. She has also dictated that this will be a girl. 'Boy maybe Aibhe?' 'No way, girl'.
If she's right, we'll have plenty of clothes.
Very economical.
Pregnancy update. Almost 34 weeks and things are 'normal'. No need for more than that. Alissa's looking forward to a full strength beer and glass of wine not mixed with soda water. And having another alarm clock to look after.
I was flicking channels on the radio the other day when I'd been in the car for a while and landed on some station called Bay Area FM. A very amateur outfit but bloody funny and reminded me so much of our old backyard shed based pirate radio stations back home. Sunshine Radio and Radio Nova. Long before the days of the commercial and legalised current versions of Today FM and FM104. The music this lot were playing was incredibly 80's (and therefore well up my street) and when Chris De Burgh came on with 'Don't Pay the Ferryman', I was half way through singing along word for word before I realised what I was doing. I knew why of course. Marian was a fan and had the albums, even went to a gig in Landsdowne or the RDS I seem to recall. Imagine, ole bushy black eyebrows man playing a venue like that. In fairness, perhaps it was the lack of musical quality around at the time, but Jesus that stuff was sh&t. But I like it because of where it brings me. Her only imperfection was her love of Chris de Burgh's music (yes, I know I am a music snob sometimes, but still, come on.....)
Also made me realise. I'm pretty much middle-aged. What that means I don't really know but am getting glimpses of myself every now and then, especially when getting checked out by the GP for blood pressure and cholesterol levels and all that.
I hear Radiohead are playing Malahide Castle. Are you fricken kidding me?? I waited for years and years for them to come and play Dublin, and then they do and they play 'my home village'? Might pop home with Aibhe for it. Ha.
After what was a really average summer (but fantastic news for the dams that went from 18 to 39% full and has ensured everything is very green - yes, I am a little obsessed by the drought situation, I accept this) we now descend into the cold winter days of 21 degrees'ish. Darker mornings means longer sleeps for Aibhe (generally). All is good. I love winter.
I went to the 2nd Virginblue charity hangar ball recently. The blog history has an account of the first one about a year and a half ago. Of course Mr (I refuse to acknowledge a meaningless knighthood) Branson was there in all his glory. A 2,800 person strong affair at 290 per person (I was invited so no paying for it for me - charity or no charity) and all went pretty well given what must have been a logistical nightmare. Even through Earth hour when all the lights went out and I thought I was eating tuna. Turned out to be shredded lamb.
Now then. Anybody wishing to travel from Sydney to LA (or the other direction) from December 15th onwards, please go to www.vaustralia.com.au. They are my new employer. Flying those big Boeing 777 babies. Still part of the Virgin Blue group, but now Finance Manager for, as they call it, 'Australia's newest international airline'. Was actually quite close to leaving the place, but a change as good as a rest as they say. Mind you resting hasn't been in the vocabulary for some time now.
We recently got Foxtel IQ on the high recommendation of Murt. Probably the best extra $20 a month we've spent. Assume you guys have something similar with Sky back home. Our back catalogue is now choc-a-bloc with episodes of Dora the Explorer, Curious George and the Wiggles. A heaven send when instant satisfaction is required or a particular episode is demanded. Must say, Curious George is currently my favourite. A very cute monkey.
We're preparing Aibhe for the arrival of number 2 by various means, one of which is the whole baby's bedroom which she has commanded as her own and has suddenly decided she likes all those baby toys. She has also dictated that this will be a girl. 'Boy maybe Aibhe?' 'No way, girl'.
If she's right, we'll have plenty of clothes.
Very economical.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Aibhe turns 2
The reason it's a cliche is because it's true (Lloyd Cole). Time goes by so quickly - we can scarcely believe it's 2 years since Aibhe Catherine Marian Foley hit the world. I feel pretty lucky to have had the opportunity to be able to savour and share most of the big moments so far and not be too engrossed in either work (or travelling to and from work) or other extra curricular things to miss out on too much of Aibhe's life so far - as they say you can't get it back. Certainly, it changes the direction and course of your life - but only if you had another direction mapped out. Exhausting, worrying, frustrating, occasionally infuriating.... but the most incredibly rewarding aspect of the daily existence.
And she's only 2 - as you can see with the blowing out of candle event. God help me when the teenage years approach. Having witnessed the behaviour of a few of that age group while down on the Gold Coast for the past few days - I would like to say, my daughter won't be like that. But who knows. Back to the now. Aibhe got a trampoline for her birthday. A very safe (and expensive) version - bought pretty much by her grandparents and godparents - with an element of contribution from her parents. This thing was built to last and theoretically should last for a good number of years. Until she starts wearing make-up or something along those lines.
We've just spent a few days on the Gold Coast (Burleigh Heads) - only just over an hour south from here (Aibhe pictured above taking an afternoon break following a busy morning on the beach). A break from the norm in that we usually head north to the Sunshine Coast, but the boss, his wife and 2 little girls were there so we joined them and let the girls entertain each other to some extent. I actually wanted to 'do' the Gold Coast just to see what it was all about. Have to say, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are like polar opposites and the people in Brisbane tend to fall on one side or the other. The former is high density, high rise hustle and bustle - with all the class of Torremolinos during an England - Spain soccer match. Stuff is just going on constantly. Surfers Paradise is basically cheesey Manhatten by the sea. The Sunshine Coast on the other hand is sleepier, but far more beguiling. Noosa being the beautiful village-like summit. Maybe it's an age thing, but I have firmly placed my loyalties with the Brisbanites going north and that's where future beach holidays will be.
So, for the time being, we count down the clock to number 2. We congratulate Ginge & Michelle on the arrival of their little girls, Kate and Isabelle. And we remember Mattie, Ferg's gentle and lovely father who left us recently after a very short battle with cancer.
And she's only 2 - as you can see with the blowing out of candle event. God help me when the teenage years approach. Having witnessed the behaviour of a few of that age group while down on the Gold Coast for the past few days - I would like to say, my daughter won't be like that. But who knows. Back to the now. Aibhe got a trampoline for her birthday. A very safe (and expensive) version - bought pretty much by her grandparents and godparents - with an element of contribution from her parents. This thing was built to last and theoretically should last for a good number of years. Until she starts wearing make-up or something along those lines.A great thing about the age she is coming into now is her attention span has increased when it comes to watching DVD's - full length movie 
versions and currently, Toy Story 2 is the number one choice. Which is of course great in that I get to watch it too - each time I pick up something I missed the previous occasion. Pure genius that stuff.
versions and currently, Toy Story 2 is the number one choice. Which is of course great in that I get to watch it too - each time I pick up something I missed the previous occasion. Pure genius that stuff.Right, I know I always said this blog would not be a verbatim account of Aibhe - but the fact is we haven't got an awful lot to report from over here right now. This is a good thing of course in that it means the pregnancy is going along relatively normally and Alissa has hit the post 28 weeks stage now - and has all the discomfort that goes with this stage.
We've just spent a few days on the Gold Coast (Burleigh Heads) - only just over an hour south from here (Aibhe pictured above taking an afternoon break following a busy morning on the beach). A break from the norm in that we usually head north to the Sunshine Coast, but the boss, his wife and 2 little girls were there so we joined them and let the girls entertain each other to some extent. I actually wanted to 'do' the Gold Coast just to see what it was all about. Have to say, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are like polar opposites and the people in Brisbane tend to fall on one side or the other. The former is high density, high rise hustle and bustle - with all the class of Torremolinos during an England - Spain soccer match. Stuff is just going on constantly. Surfers Paradise is basically cheesey Manhatten by the sea. The Sunshine Coast on the other hand is sleepier, but far more beguiling. Noosa being the beautiful village-like summit. Maybe it's an age thing, but I have firmly placed my loyalties with the Brisbanites going north and that's where future beach holidays will be.So, for the time being, we count down the clock to number 2. We congratulate Ginge & Michelle on the arrival of their little girls, Kate and Isabelle. And we remember Mattie, Ferg's gentle and lovely father who left us recently after a very short battle with cancer.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Slow train coming
January 25th, 2008. A date that's been looming large since June 30th, 2004. I was surprised at how many recognised it's personal significance to me - I thought I was the only one to be thinking this way. I reached the same age as Marian on that date. Now I am older than my big sister - something I never ever wanted to or thought I would be. I feel ridiculously young and not ready which has absolutely hammered home how Marian would have felt.
The 25th was of course Alissa's birthday and mine followed the next day. Australia day, a day of Aussie flags, meat pies, parties and back-yard cricket. When I laughed at some of the stuff people we were wearing and doing, Alissa very rightly pointed out.... "Ehhhh St Patricks Day???". Point taken. We had 24 hours to ourselves without Aibhe - who was being spoilt as usual by Barb & Geoff - as we headed off to Toowoomba, a small country town about an hour and a half west of here. Not much there except for a nice quiet hotel room and a restaurant. And some welcome uninterrupted sleep for Alissa. What has stuck out in my mind about this place is the press it received last year when they decided to vote AGAINST using recycled water - with no alternative being put forward. So now their dams are at a dangerous low of 11% with no water in sight. Muppets.
While we we were without child, we took in the Andy Warhol exhibition in the Brisbane cultural centre which was pretty cool - only place in Australia it's being shown apparantly. The guy was certainly talented - albeit a bit bonkers, but talented.
A shindig of the BBQ nature was had to celebrate the birthdays, Australia day and the technical completion of the house renovations. We had about 35 people here (including kids) at one point and for a time, about half were in the pool. Great way of getting them knackered out. A successful afternoon/early evening, though am sure at this point, having been pregnant for pretty much a year now, Alissa would like to be enjoying a BBQ where she could actually drown a few vino's.
We've had a week of wonderful weather - with plenty of swimming pool use - in fact Aibhe literally has to walk out on the balcony, see it to remind herself that we have it and she wants in. So I've spent quite an amount of time in there too and am sneezing away for the past couple of days. Now the rain is back - perfect timing for filling up the depleted pool again.
Great to chat to most of the lads recently - in particular a reasonably successful skype conference call with DG and Kieran. It does work! And cheers for the phone calls on my birthday. Even though a bloke, being so far away from home, it's appreciated.
Ginge & Michelle, well, it must be pretty damn close to doubling your family size in an instant. Good luck with it all and looking forward to hearing all about initial life with twins.
Well I won't be giving blood again. My one big selfless contribution to the world in general is over for the moment. A couple of weeks back, I seemingly successfully gave blood for the 3rd time. the needle came out, I got up from the bed and then sat down for my cheese, biscuits and juice and then woke up lying down with 3 people over me calling out "Edna, Edna!!". I was too f&cked at the time to correct my name, and apparantly I was out for about a minute. Been a long time since I keeled over like that, and on the previous two occasions I was in a church - which when ye think about it, says something. Anyway, had to rest up for about 20 minutes before they would let me go back to work - even then they weren't too happy with me going. They were right. I barfed about an hour later outside our buildling - fortunately no one was around to observe my minced salad sandwich all over the ground. I was informed that low blood pressure induces nausea. Felt great once it was out mind you.
Have I mentioned I have taken up tennis again? No more contact sports for me at this stage of my injury career. Swimming, tennis and golf keeps my competitors at a safe distance. I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed it. I hadn't hit a ball in anger for over 6 years and it showed in my first service game with 4 double faults...... but by the end of the two hours the eye was in and I had the lads going further and further back to deal with the serve. All those years of intense competition and rivalry with Messrs Moore, O'Meara, O'Brien and Pilkington each one with the ability to throw a racquet a long way over a fence - have culminated in my having a nice quiet couple of social tennis hours a week. But I still get very pissed off when I miss.
The 25th was of course Alissa's birthday and mine followed the next day. Australia day, a day of Aussie flags, meat pies, parties and back-yard cricket. When I laughed at some of the stuff people we were wearing and doing, Alissa very rightly pointed out.... "Ehhhh St Patricks Day???". Point taken. We had 24 hours to ourselves without Aibhe - who was being spoilt as usual by Barb & Geoff - as we headed off to Toowoomba, a small country town about an hour and a half west of here. Not much there except for a nice quiet hotel room and a restaurant. And some welcome uninterrupted sleep for Alissa. What has stuck out in my mind about this place is the press it received last year when they decided to vote AGAINST using recycled water - with no alternative being put forward. So now their dams are at a dangerous low of 11% with no water in sight. Muppets.
While we we were without child, we took in the Andy Warhol exhibition in the Brisbane cultural centre which was pretty cool - only place in Australia it's being shown apparantly. The guy was certainly talented - albeit a bit bonkers, but talented.A shindig of the BBQ nature was had to celebrate the birthdays, Australia day and the technical completion of the house renovations. We had about 35 people here (including kids) at one point and for a time, about half were in the pool. Great way of getting them knackered out. A successful afternoon/early evening, though am sure at this point, having been pregnant for pretty much a year now, Alissa would like to be enjoying a BBQ where she could actually drown a few vino's.
We've had a week of wonderful weather - with plenty of swimming pool use - in fact Aibhe literally has to walk out on the balcony, see it to remind herself that we have it and she wants in. So I've spent quite an amount of time in there too and am sneezing away for the past couple of days. Now the rain is back - perfect timing for filling up the depleted pool again.
Great to chat to most of the lads recently - in particular a reasonably successful skype conference call with DG and Kieran. It does work! And cheers for the phone calls on my birthday. Even though a bloke, being so far away from home, it's appreciated.
Ginge & Michelle, well, it must be pretty damn close to doubling your family size in an instant. Good luck with it all and looking forward to hearing all about initial life with twins.
Well I won't be giving blood again. My one big selfless contribution to the world in general is over for the moment. A couple of weeks back, I seemingly successfully gave blood for the 3rd time. the needle came out, I got up from the bed and then sat down for my cheese, biscuits and juice and then woke up lying down with 3 people over me calling out "Edna, Edna!!". I was too f&cked at the time to correct my name, and apparantly I was out for about a minute. Been a long time since I keeled over like that, and on the previous two occasions I was in a church - which when ye think about it, says something. Anyway, had to rest up for about 20 minutes before they would let me go back to work - even then they weren't too happy with me going. They were right. I barfed about an hour later outside our buildling - fortunately no one was around to observe my minced salad sandwich all over the ground. I was informed that low blood pressure induces nausea. Felt great once it was out mind you.
Have I mentioned I have taken up tennis again? No more contact sports for me at this stage of my injury career. Swimming, tennis and golf keeps my competitors at a safe distance. I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed it. I hadn't hit a ball in anger for over 6 years and it showed in my first service game with 4 double faults...... but by the end of the two hours the eye was in and I had the lads going further and further back to deal with the serve. All those years of intense competition and rivalry with Messrs Moore, O'Meara, O'Brien and Pilkington each one with the ability to throw a racquet a long way over a fence - have culminated in my having a nice quiet couple of social tennis hours a week. But I still get very pissed off when I miss.
Hey Rach. Where's Wally?
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